Straight from the Sports Desk: One writer's 2008 H-DNC all-league football team

Now that the NFL Super Bowl approaches — which means that the 2008-09 football season is running out of time — here is my view on a 2008 H-DNC all-league football team.
First of all, my selections reflect my own opinions and don’t pretend to represent the entire sports desk at The Times-Standard. I have chosen these players based upon the 20 prep games that I observed this season, as well as discussions with other sports writers, media and coaches.
There are three significant differences between the “official” H-DN selections previously released and my team: the number of “all-league” players, an “honorable mention” category, and Most Valuable Players.
The H-DN listed a total of 85 players — 41 players from the Big 4 (20 all-league, 21 honorable mention) and 44 players from the Little 5 (22 all-league, 22 honorable mention) — on its two all-league teams.
By contrast, the “Tarpey team,” that combines the Big 4 with the Little 5, has only 24 players.
I do not have an “honorable mention” category because I think that each kid who suits up and takes the field earns that title.
And, this is definitely a team, so I have no MVPs.
Although several of my nominations typically played both ways, I have put them at only one spot, with the exception of two players who also appear on the four-man “special teams” unit.
Finally, in retrospect I think that The Times-Standard’s three-person sports desk did a very good job in our weekly predictions of win-loss results for the 66 games involving H-DNC teams. Although our predictions were not always popular with some coaches, parents and players, we were correct 74 percent of the time.
Ray finished 46-20 (.696), Sean ended up at 49-17 (.742) and I came in at 52-14 (.787).
Without further ado, here is Tarpey’s 2008 H-DNC all-league football team:

Offense
QB Chris Pender, McKinleyville Jr. (6-2)
RB Jourdan Del Biaggio, Ferndale Sr. (6-1, 190)
RB Brad Cobb, Fortuna, Sr. (6-0, 175)
WR Cody Hoffman, Del Norte Sr. (6-3)
WR Greg Allen, Eureka Sr. (6-2, 170)
TE Jesse Slade, Ferndale Sr. (6-2, 200)
OT Dustin Walters, Ferndale Jr. (6-4, 285)
OT Isaac Ranstead, Hoopa Sr. (6-0, 270)
C Troy Pooley, Fortuna Sr. (6-4, 300)
OG Gunnar Wise, Eureka Sr. (5-10, 225)
OG Cory Hebard, South Fork Sr. (5-10, 235)

(N.B.— I opted to move Slade from WR to TE)

Defense
DE Silas Sarvinski, Ferndale Jr. (6-0, 230)
DE Brett Whitchurch, Fortuna Sr. (6-3, 200)
DT Oliver Rayl, Ferndale Sr. (5-9, 225)
DT Dallas Mohorovich, Eureka Jr. (6-2, 260)
LB Tim Couch, Arcata Sr. (6-2, 200)
LB Soma Vainuku, Eureka Jr. (6-1, 260)
LB Donald Cain, McKinleyville Sr. (N/A)
LB Austin Clary, South Fork Sr. (5-10,175)
CB Trevor Hash, Eureka Sr. (6-3, 180)
CB Jimmie Griggs, Ferndale Sr. (5-9, 165)
FS Andrew Ayers, St. Bernard’s Sr. (6-1, 170)

(N.B.— I opted to have a 4-4 with only three DBs)

Special Teams
Punter Andrew Ayers, St. Bernard’s Sr. (6-1, 170)
Kicker Kyle Matyshock, Ferndale Sr. (6-0, 175)
Returner Cody Hoffman, Del Norte Sr. (6-3)
Player Khan Johnston, South Fork Sr. (5-8, 160)

Coaches
Rookie Jeremy Waldrip, St. Bernard’s
Coach of the Year Mike Benbow, Fortuna
Emeritus Kim Jorgensen, Ferndale

Straight from the Sports Desk

The culmination of countless years spent scribbling notes on the bleachers

One writer's 2008 H-DNC all-league football team

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